Semi-Live Regal Princess BCN to FLL 11/6 to 12/2

[Denmal]

We start our 30+ day adventure today.  DH and I are all packed.  3 Suitcases for the trip.  We fly from CLT to Munich then onto Barcelona BUT with all the schedules changes we have an 11 hour layover in Munich.  So I did my research,  found a hotel IN Munich Airport.  We will be staying in the Munich Hilton for the layover.  I got a day rate of 89 Euro. We get the room from 9 am to 6 pm  It is worth it for sleep.  For those who don't know about day rates, alot of airport hotels have them BUT you have to call the hotel. We land in Munich at 9:15 and our flight to BCN it not until 8:50 pm.  We also got lucky and got an upsell to a suite for the full 26 days.  It was an additional 2K, total not PP.   We are staying in the H10 Montcada in the Born in Barcelona. And then board the Regal on Sunday 11/6.    Will post info when we check in to the Munich hotel with info and pics.  More to come...

[dickinson]

have a wonderful cruise!  FYI - LA Cruiser 88 is already onboard doing a Live from.  He/she will be on til Ft Lauderdale also.

[PacnGoNow]

10 minutes ago, Denmal said:

We start our 30+ day adventure today.  DH and I are all packed.  3 Suitcases for the trip.  We fly from CLT to Munich then onto Barcelona BUT with all the schedules changes we have an 11 hour layover in Munich.  So I did my research,  found a hotel IN Munich Airport.  We will be staying in the Munich Hilton for the layover.  I got a day rate of 89 Euro. We get the room from 9 am to 6 pm  It is worth it for sleep.  For those who don't know about day rates, alot of airport hotels have them BUT you have to call the hotel. We land in Munich at 9:15 and our flight to BCN it not until 8:50 pm.  We also got lucky and got an upsell to a suite for the full 26 days.  It was an additional 2K, total not PP.   We are staying in the H10 Montcada in the Born in Barcelona. And then board the Regal on Sunday 11/6.    Will post info when we check in to the Munich hotel with info and pics.  More to come...

Great upsell rate!  Awesome.  

If your long layover was due to a schedule change, I’m surprised you

didn’t have them rebook something better?  Unless, you want to break up the trip.  
Regardless, have a great adventure.

[chrysalis]

We are on board at the moment..... friends who are joining us in BCN had a 12 hour delay today/last night on their United flight to BCN. Not a great way to start....

[Denmal]

11 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Great upsell rate!  Awesome.  

If your long layover was due to a schedule change, I’m surprised you

didn’t have them rebook something better?  Unless, you want to break up the trip.  
Regardless, have a great adventure.

The tickets had already been purchased so a change would have cost more than the day hotel, so we decided to just go for it.    The flight changed about 3 times actually.  

[geocruiser]

Enjoy your cruise.

[Anubi]

Wonderful, another Live From to enjoy with my coffee in the morning.  We board on 17Nov in Rome.  Can't wait to join you.  🙂 

 

[Denmal]

Well, we made it to Munich.  Very bumpy flight.  Very easy to find the Hilton and it is RIGHT outside Terminal 2.  Nice room..ready for our nap.  Next flight to BCN at 8:50 PM.  Just outside the terminal, they are already setting up a Christmas market...very cool here in Munich 5 C..

[Denmal]

We have arrived in Barcelona!!  And amazing all 3 bags made it.  Got a cab from the airport to the H10 Montcada in the Born. 35 euro for the taxi including tip.  Finally got to the hotel about 12 PM.  Very tired but happy to be here.  Booked a Jr. Suite , got a great rate total for 3 nights including breakfast 671 euro.  H10 have a club and if you join you automatically get 10% off the rate online AND I also got a sale.  Upon checking in, we were given a coupon for a free drink at the bar during our stay.    Here are pictures of the room.  Plan for tomorrow is to tour the opera house, visit a church or two in the Born area, go to the Santa Caterina Market.  Then we have an evening food tour booked with Devour tours starting at 6 PM.

[Denmal]

Our Friday in Barcelona started with Breakfast in the hotel.  Boy was that worth the price.  Hot croissant to the table with fresh squeeze OJ and a full buffet of eggs, cheeses, cereal, meats and a mimosa if you wanted one.  We then went off into the Born and Gothic areas in search of churches.  We visited 3, basilica Santa Maria Del Pi, Santa Maria del Mar and then the Cathedral ...such beautiful architecture and history.   Then off the Santa Caterina Market for lunch.  A nice market still used mostly by locals.  We sat a counter and had croquettes,  olives and vermouth. And a ham and cheese sandwich...so good.  We decided to go back to the hotel for a rest before out to the evening food tour.  Will post later about the food tour.  Here are some pics from Friday

 

[phabric]

I will be following your cruise

[Denmal]

Barcelona on Friday night we had a tapas and wine tour booked with Devour Tours.  We met a 6 PM just down the street from our hotel.  First was vermouth with cheese, artichokes and aloi.  Potato chips with Catalina salsa and olives. In addition a glass of Catalina white wine and sauted cod with sweet potato. Second stop was cava with different types of pork cured meats and croquettes. And Tomato bread a Barcelona staple. And the last stop was sort of a full dinner with hummus,  the beef check and potatoes and finally chocolate mouse with olive oil and salt. And a sweet desert wine. OMG...so good and worth the costs.  We then had cocktails with a couple from Sweden in a bar where Dali drank in the born..we got back to the hotel around midnight satisfied with another great night in Barcelona...pics below

Edited November 5, 2022 by Denmal

[Denmal]

Saturday 11/5 Another sunny day in Barcelona.   We walked down to the port cable car.  We waited in line foe about 20 minutes.  First trip is at 11:00 am. Took the cable car RT.  Great views.  Nice park on the opposite side from the port.  After we got a cab back to the born.  Looking for lunch.  Decided to.have a nice lunch and bo dinner.  So found Calabasas.   Nice place .  Fabulous server Claudia.   She was so nice.  We order vermouth,  croquettes,  swiss cheese flowers with honey (omg) and tomato bread.  Also beef cheak with sauce and white chocolate fois gras  donuts .  Was not sure.about the.last choice but OMG...it was sooo good.(pics below)..  the Claudia offered a traditional Catalan digestive Ratafia.   Served in a shot cold...wow was that nice.  We then went to the wine store for cava and vermouth to bring onto the ship tomorrow.   Boarding day finally tomorrow..

 

[Denmal]

 Boarding day for.the Regal.  We took a taxi to the port.  Arrived around 11:00 am.  Joined the line to drop the bags.  Went through security and got a number.  Number was called, had to give them our passports.   We will get them back on th 9th or 10th.  Needed for italian passport control.  Boarded.  Total time from bags to In our suite. 1 hour ish...Had a nice lunch at club class.  After lunch got a drink a crooners and then off the the lounge for suite guests to get some dinner reservations.   By the time we got back to the suite.. bags were there.  Unpacked.  Got laundry together...ready for sail away at 6 PM

 

[Denmal]

Monday November 7th.  Toulon. Beautiful sunrise as we docked .  We purchased tickets for the water shuttle from the dock in  La Seyne-sur-Mer to Toulon.  The cost was 29 dollars each charged to the ship account.  About a 20 minute cruise across the harbour.  A beautiful day in Toulon.  Sunny and 70 degrees.  Being a Monday, not many stores open but we walked into the center of town. Stopped in a place for coffee in the sun near rhe theater.   After coffee more walking over the the Cathedral.   So beautiful.   Found a soap shop for some lavender soap.. Then off for lunch by the harbour.  My favorite French lunch. Chevre salad( goat cheese ) and dh had beef tar tare.  With a pitcher of rose.  Sat for a while enjoying the wine after eating.  Hopped back on the shuttle..received a nice.cheese platter from a friend when we got back tonthe room. So go another wine and sat on the balcony enjoying the.cheese and wine.  Off to dinner later...and Florence tomorrow.   Food on the ship has been really good.  

[Denmal]

Tuesday 11/8. Livorno Italy. Port for Pisa and Florence.   We purchased Florence on your own tour fro Princess.  The bus into Florence takes 1.5 hours.  We arrived in Florence about 10 am.  We did not have to meet back up until 3:15.  We given a good approach with info about sites and toilets.  We walked 6+ miles just in Florence.  Visited the Dumo and other churches including Santa Croce. Where DaVinci and Michangelo are buried.  Had a wonderful lunch in a small Cafe off the tourist path.  Yummy house white wine with buratta and sun dried tomatoes and margarita pizza.  Also did make some purchases...leather bags and balsamic vinegar.   We were back to the ship by 5:15...LONG day buy very worth it.. just had soup and salad for dinner in club class ...so tired soade it an early night.  

[Denmal]

Wednesday 11/9 and Thursday 11/10 were much needed sea days. We rested and sat on the balcony reading our books.  Gotta love a sea day.  I did participate in the slot pull in the casino...overall the group did not well.  Winner won with 3 bucks and got the pot of around 63 bucks.  It was fun.  Food has been great in club class.  The have 1 special entree each night.  Friday is Kotor.  Will post about that later ...

[wowzz]

Can I ask who your servers are in the CC dining room, assuming you have the same ones each night ?

[Denmal]

3 hours ago, wowzz said:

Can I ask who your servers are in the CC dining room, assuming you have the same ones each night ?

We do have the same....Gerald and Dominago.  They are great.  First night we said no bread...and they ALWAYS remember that we do not want any.  They are great.  Also the club class manager always asks if we want the same waiters...so now we get them 

[wowzz]

6 hours ago, Denmal said:

We do have the same....Gerald and Dominago.  They are great.  First night we said no bread...and they ALWAYS remember that we do not want any.  They are great.  Also the club class manager always asks if we want the same waiters...so now we get them 

Thanks - we had Gerald as well. He will only remember us if we tell you a joke that we told him,  that would get me banned from here for life !

The moment we walked into the dining room, he would send for my extra large glass of Merlot. 

One of the joys of CC dining.

 

[Denmal]

November 11th.  Armistice Day

Kotor Montenegro.   Water Shuttle day.  Beautiful morning. The scenery here is amazing!!  They used local shuttles so better than the small ship ones.  Easy ride maybe 10 minutes.  Kotor is BEAUTIFUL.   Wear comfortable shoes.  The cobblestones are hard on the feat.  We wandered through the city visiting churches and going down small alley ways.   We really enjoyed the city.  It was a sunny day so decided to do lunch at a local restaurant.   We had a Serbian white wine , charcuterie platter and hummas....OMG. so good...the hummas was to die for.  We sat and enjoyed for 2 hours...then after lunch headed back to the ship.  One additional thing:  CATS 🐈..kotor is know for it roaming cats.  They are around the town  and in one part there were houses for them. A woman and her husband were providing breakfast when we were there.  They are very friendly and cute. #kotorkitties

[Denmal]

November 12th Dubrovnik Croatia.   The ship docks aways from the old town.  Princess offers a shuttle to the old walled city for 16 dollars PP.  The shuttle ran every 15 minutes.  Weather was sunny but alittle windy and chilly.  We got out early and hopped on the shuttle.   If you are a Game of Thrones fan this city is for you.  There are tours, shirts and all kinds of GOFT stuff.  You can walk the city walls in Dubrovnik,  we felt is was overpriced.  It was 250 Kuna which is 34 USD pp.  So we skipped it.  And you had to pay either in Kuna or credit card.  They do not take euros yet,  they will starting in January.   We were able to use our credit card pretty much everywhere.  We visited several churches.  Found a beautiful restaurant for a nice coffee and tea with a view of the harbour.  We enjoyed dubrovnik but I will say it was one of the more expensive cities so far. 11 to 12 euros for a coffee, tea and croissant.   Beautiful and clean old city.   After walking around alot. Jumped back on the shuttle and went to Alfredos on the ship for lunch.  We split a yummy Maragria pizza and each had a glass of wine.  

[Denmal]

November 13.  If it is Sunday it must be Corfu.  We purchased hop on and off tickets, smart move on our part.  Weather was not great. Raining on and off , and WINDY...omg was it windy.  Ship dock a new port.   Port offers a bus to the terminal for free, we could have walked it was rain and windy.  Road the Hop on/Hop off over to the old fort.  Got off and toured it.  Entry free 3 euro each.  Very interesting and nice views. Small Cafe in the fort were we had coffee and tea.  The very nice shop keeper gave is a traditional breakfast bead called koulouri...it was a sweet breakfast round bread.  Yummy.  Back on the bus to the old town pedestrian area of Corfu for some churches and shopping.   Much not open as it was Sunday and could not visit too many churches due to mass.  We are very respectful and try not to enter if they are having Mass unless we plan to sit through the service.  We did manage to light a few candles for our Moms and friends as we try to do in most churches.   The Greek churches are amazing.  Purchased some Greek spices, candy and another hat for the hubby.  Sea day tomorrow and we will need it.  Averaging  15K steps daily...we will be trying the enclave in the spa that comes as a.perk with the suite.  More tomorrow on that..

[geocruiser]

I am enjoying your pictures very much.  The food looks wonderful.  I love the bread!

[Denmal]

6 hours ago, geocruiser said:

I am enjoying your pictures very much.  The food looks wonderful.  I love the bread!

Thanks much. I am enjoying adding information each day